Derek O’Brien Signs

O’Brien, 31, joins the club from Galway United, and has also had previous spells with St. Patrick’s Athletic and Sligo Rovers. The winger, who signed for the club this morning, said he is pleased to have signed: “Being from Kerry, Cork City is a club I have always had an ambition to play for, and I’m delighted to have the opportunity now. I know some of the lads here already, and having spoken to them, I am really looking forward being part of what I hope will be a successful season for the club.”

“I spoke to Tommy (Dunne) a couple of weeks ago, and I was speaking to a couple of other clubs as well. Other managers were demanding a decision immediately, but Tommy was very patient and gave me the time to make my decision, and I really appreciated that.”

Asked about his ambitions for the season, O’Brien is clear on what he wants to achieve, saying: “To win the league. It’s as simple as that. I’ve been fortunate to have won some individual honours in my career, but I have not won a trophy with any team, and I have joined the club because I believe I can win things here.”

Cork City manager Tommy Dunne told CorkCityFC.ie that he was happy with the signing, commenting: “Derek is a very experienced player, who has been a regular in the Premier Division for a number of years now, and has been named on the PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year. He can play on either wing or up front, he has good feet and he can deliver a good pass. He is an exciting player, and I believe he can make a big contribution to our squad.”